Yeah well... it was okay, but he doesn't need to, because his music and his playing is enough and actually doesn't need a voice in addition. It's the guitar which does the talkin'. And Joe's music is damn brilliant. It's also well known, that he did help some of his guitar collegues to improve their playing over the years. And those are now great players by themselves.  

However, Mr. Satriani hasn't come too often to Europe in the past 15 years as a solo artist. He rather prefered to travel round the globe with G3, feat. old friend Steve Vai, next to Eric Johnson, Y.Malmsteen etc. Now he's finally here on his own with his new record Professor Satchafunkilus And The Musterion Of Rock’ .
It has been a wise decision indeed, cause people have become curious to check out this magic guitarist live on stage. And that's the reason, why the venues in Germany are packed. And it's not only musicians and pseudo professionells, who are trying to analyse the Satriani riffs and discuss them afterwards. It's also the guy from next door and some youngsters, who just wanna enjoy great music.

Like mentioned before.... it can't get be more crowded in here at the Backstage Werk in Munich, and whatever this evening is gonna bring us.... One thing is for sure, it is truly the hottest event this year - in the truest sense of the word. 
 
It’s Showtime at 8 p.m. 

... and the support is named Steve Fister and Band, who are supposed to spice up the first 45 minutes for the headliner. ( heat off, would be the wrong expression, because, like I said, it' can't get any hotter in here) Steve was Lita Ford's guitarist in the eighties. Unfortunately that's the only fact, that comes immidiately to my mind, after hearing the name. Meanwhile I'm wiser, as I have checked out his solo carriere. And no, he ain't that typical american mainstream guitarist, because there is too much blues flowing within his music. His new and fourth studioalbum is actually named 'Deeper Than The Blues'. Steve had been in Germany before in the past, but never in the southern regions. That's why most of the audiance tonight don't really know him yet. Therefore, wo other well known faces are discovered on stage, who are building the rhythmsection, - also in the dutch rockband Vengeance. Barend Courbois on Bass and hans in't Zandt on drums. Yeah well, it's allways good to have a second leg in the door, ain't it?! Anyway,  here they build the background, 'cause the name in the front is 'Steve Fister'.

Though his music goes in little different direction, it's worth a listen. Neat rock with whole lotta Blues, played by a great musician, who also is a good vocalist. In any case, you should remember this name and listen to his music. Whoever likes Bluesrock will luv this....
http://www.stevefister.com/


The best known guitar professor in the world of Rock'n'Roll  doesn't let us wait too long and some 30 minutes later, he comes on stage and wins the battle immidiately and our hearts......

Like mentioned before he is accompanied by bass genius Stuart Hamm, furthermore by Jeff Campitelli on drums and Galen Hansen on additional guitar. He's also the tourmanager of the trek. 

But on the whole, it's Mr. Satriani, who is the star of the action dominating the scenery. Meanwhile the heat has rosen up to almost unbearable temperatures in here. And the photopit feels like Amazonas delta at summer time, well spiced by tons of lime light. But it's only my camera beeing grateful for this. But as we say so... only the hard one's survive, and we two photographers, who we are here tonight, fight ourselves through the length of 3 tracks getting a sauna for free.

Satrianis song material is, how shall I describe it, - voluminous and rich. his six strings are sounding and singing at the same time. To get it straight, vocals in addition are unneccessary and would be probably too much. And no, Joe doesn't show himself as the endless-solo-perfectionist in first place, who only performs difficult soundstructures. No, his melodies are straight and get caught in our ears and invite us to swing along. His art is, to put his excellent and difficult playing in entertaining earworms - as we call this over here....

He presents himself loose and cool and moves around a lot with a very charming smile on his lips. Only his eyes are hidden behind sunglasses. Never mind, his aura is still huge and his performance just brilliant. Apart from the current longplayer he also performs some old well known tunes like 'One Big Rush' and 'Surfin' With The Alien. Unfortunately my personal favorite song 'Big Bad Moon' ain't on the list.... that's one of the few songs where Joe sings.

Within the last third of the show, Stu Hamm gets his solo to prove his talent as well on the four strings. He didn't have to though, as most music-insiders know exactly how good he is. He is known as one of the world's greatest bass players. 

The set includin an encore closes after more than 2 1/2 hours. And I swear, not even one second has been boring or exhausting. Only the bloody heat has given us some problems to enjoy the gig a 100 percent. I presume the beer sales hit a new record tonight. But well, everything has it's good sides, doesn't it.... 
And those one's have clearly won the battle  tonight.....
Wauw, what a great evening.... thanks Joe !
http://www.satriani.com/  

                                                                              click Diary for some Aftershow Snapshots